Ethical Standard9.Assessment Flashcards
Do psychologists base the opinions in their recommendations, reports, and diagnostics or evaluative statements, including forensic testimony, on information and techniques sufficient to substantiate their findings?
- 01 Bases for Assessments
(a) YES
(b) EXCEPT, as noted in 9.01c, psychologists provide opinions of the psychological characteristics of individuals ONLY after they have conducted an examination of the individuals adequate to support their statements or conclusions. When, despite their reasonable efforts, such an examination is not practical, psychologists document the efforts they made and the results of those efforts, clarify the probable impact of their limited information on the reliability and validity of their opinions, and appropriately limit the nature and extent of their conclusions or recommendations.
When psychologists conduct a record review or provide consultation or supervision and an individual examination is not warranted or necessary for the opinion, do psychologists explain this and the sources of information on which they based their conclusions and recommendations?
9.01(c)
YES
Do psychologists administer, adapt, score, interpret, or use assessment techniques, interviews, tests, or instruments in a manner and for the purposes that are appropriate in spite of the research on or evidence of the usefulness and proper application of the techniques?
- 02 Use of Assessments
(a) YES
Do psychologists use instruments whose validity and reliability have been established for use with members of the population tested? If no validity and reliability has been established, what do they do?
9.2(b)
YES
If no validity and reliability has been established, psychologist describe the strengths and limitations of test results and interpretation.
When do psychologists use an alternative language when doing an assessment? and what is preferred?
9.2(c)
Psychologists use assessment methods that are appropriate to an individual’s language preference and competence, unless the use of an alternative language is relevant to the assessment issues.
Psychologists obtain informed consent when conducting assessments.What does it include? AND
What are 3 exceptions psychologists do not need to obtain informed consent?
- 03 Informed Consent in Assessments
(a) Informed consent includes: an explanation of the nature and purpose of the assessment, fees, involvement of third parties, and limits of confidentiality and sufficient opportunity for the client/patient to ask questions and receive answers. (see 3.10 Informed Consent)
(1) testing is mandated by law or governmental regulations
(2) informed consent is implied because testing is conducted as a routine educational, institutional, or organizational activity (e.g., when participants voluntarily agree to assessment when applying for a job)
(3) one purpose of the testing is to evaluate decisional capacity
Do psychologists inform persons with questionable capacity to consent or for whom testing is mandated by law or governmental regulations about the nature and purpose of the proposed assessment services, using language that is reasonably understandable to the person being assessed?
9.03 (b)YES
What are the steps that psychologists when using an interpreter when obtaining informed consent?
9.03(c) Psychologists using the services of an interpreter obtain informed consent from the client/patient to use that interpreter, ensure that confidentiality of test results and test security are maintained, and include in their recommendations, reports, and diagnostic or evaluative statements, including forensic testimony, discussion of any limitations on the data obtained. (see 9.01 bases for assessments, 9.06 interpreting assessment results, 9.07 assessment by unqualified persons)
Define what is referred as test data and do psychologists release test data to clients/patients?
- 04 Release of Test Data
(a) Test data: RAW and SCALED SCORES, including client/patient responses to test questions or stimuli, and psychologists’ notes and recordings concerning client/patient statements and behavior during an examination.
- Pursuant to a client/patient release, psychologists provide test data to the client/patient or other person identified in the release. Psychologists refrain from releasing test data to protect a client/patient or others from substantial harm or misuse or misrepresentation of the data or the test, recognizing that in many instances release of confidential information under these circumstances is regulated by law. (see 9.11 maintaining test security).
(b)In the absence of a client/patient release, psychologists provide test data only as required by law or court order.
When psychologists develop tests and other assessment techniques, do they use appropriate psychometric procedures and current scientific or professional knowledge for test design, standardization, validation, reduction, or elimination of bias, and recommendation for use?
9.05 Test Construction
YES
When interpreting assessment results what do psychologists take into account besides the automated interpretations?
9.06 Interpreting Assessment Results
psychologists take into account:
-the purpose of the assessment as well as the various test factors, test-taking abilities
-other characteristics of the person being assessed, such as situational, personal, linguistic, and cultural differences, that might affect psychologists’ judgments or reduce the accuracy of their interpretations
-Indicate any limitations of their interpretations
(see 2.01b,&c boundaries of competence, 3.01 unfair discrimination)
Do psychologists promote the use of psychological assessment techniques if someone is unqualified, but what if the person was under supervision?
9.07 Assessment by unqualified persons
Psychologists do not promote the use of psychological assessment techniques by unqualified persons, EXCEPT when such use is conducted for training purposes with appropriate supervision. (see 2.05 delegation of work to others)
Do psychologists base their assessment or intervention decisions or recommendations on data or test results that are outdated for the current purpose?
- 08 Obsolete Tests and Outdated Test Results
(a) NO
(b) Psychologists do not base such decisions or recommendations on tests and measures that are obsolete and not useful for the current purpose.
What do psychologists describe to other professionals when offering their assessment or scoring services?
- 09 Test Scoring and Interpretation Services
(a) accurately describe the purpose, norms, validity, reliability, and applications of the procedures and any special qualifications applicable to their use.
(b) Psychologists select scoring and interpretation services (including automated services) on the basis of evidence of the validity of the program and procedures as well as on other appropriate considerations.(see 2.01b&c boundaries of competence)
(c) psychologists retain responsibility for the appropriate application, interpretation, and use of assessment instruments, whether they score and interpret such tests themselves or use automated or other services.
Are psychologists responsible for explaining assessment results to clients or if supervising others are they responsible to ensure the results are given to clients?
9.10 Explaining Assessment Results
Regardless whether the scoring and interpretation are done by psychologists, by employees or assistants, or by automated or other outside services, psychologists take reasonable steps to ensure that explanations of results are given to the individual or designated representative unless the nature of the relationship precludes provision of an explanation of results (such as in some organizational consulting, preemployment or security screenings, and forensic evaluations) and this fact has been clearly explained to the person being assessed in advance.
